On Mandate for Reformation

1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote from a Nazi prison cell during World War II, awaiting execution for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Surrounded by hatred and violence, he still found hope. On June 4, 1943, it was Ascension Day that year, and he wrote to his parents: “Today is Ascension Day, and that means it is a day of great joy to all who can believe that Christ rules the world and their lives.”

Today, Thursday May 14, is Ascension Day and I want us to think about what is going on here. Why should this day be a point of hope for believers? The New Testament writers certainly thought it was.

The last paragraph in Luke’s Gospel describes it, and then right at the beginning of his second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, he describes it in even greater length. Peter refers to it in his sermon on the day of Pentecost, and then he assumes it when he explains the miracle at the beautiful gate of the temple in Acts 3. And the ascension of Christ also lies behind Stephen’s experience as he was being martyred, and if you think about it, also behind Saul of Tarsus’ experience on the Damascus Road, and behind many other passages too.

John tells us how Jesus spoke about it in John 6:62, and then in His farewell conversations with His disciples. And there are other passages like Ephesians 1:20–23, and Philippians 2:9: God highly exalting the Lord Jesus. And then in Philippians 3:10: He’s now in heaven and we are waiting for Him to return. And He has ascended and is seated at the right hand of God, says Paul in Colossians 3:1. And it’s implied in various places in Hebrews. Think of Hebrews 4:14: Jesus has passed through the heavens and is at God’s right hand. Or think of the portrayal of Jesus in Revelation 12, where He is caught up to heaven and has ascended to the throne of God.

So yes, the ascension really is important. It was the next stage in the work of the Lord Jesus after His birth, His ministry, His death, and His resurrection. In fact, it marked the completion of His present work here on Earth.

As John says in his gospel, He came from God, and He was going back to God (John 13:3). His resurrection tells us that His atoning sacrifice has been accepted. His ascension tells us that He has completed all the work His Father gave Him to do on Earth.

You see, the ascension means that Jesus, who was crucified for us, now occupies the throne of heaven and reigns over all things for us. The disciples got it. And when they did, they went back into the world like thunderbolts. And if we aren’t going back into the world like thunderbolts today with glorious joy, we don’t get it yet. The ascension detonates everything Jesus does, not only in reality, but I’d say mentally and spiritually too.

In preparation for this week’s sermon on our mandate for biblical reformation and revival, let me encourage you to spend some time meditating on the truth of the ascension. And then join us as we hear Paul’s directive for reformation from 1 Corinthians 2:2.

In Christ,

Pastor Wayne